Pacific Coast League Books?

[Comiskey]

Hi fella's

I am always interested in reading a new book about our favorite past time. One area of baseball that I don't know much about is the pacific coast league and after seeing the T212 pickups in the other thread I think it's time to learn a little more about the PCL history.

What books do you guys recommend on the Pacific Coast League?

Thanks!
Jeff

[barrysloate]

History of Baseball in California and the Pacific Coast Leagues, by Fred Lange, 1938. Although it is out of print it's not too tough to find, and can usually be bought in the $100-125 range. Of course there are modern ones that would be less costly. I'll let others chime in with exact titles.

[Baseball Rarities]

I would check out the books by John Spalding and Dick Dobbins. With a little searching, I am sure that they can be bought much cheaper than what they are listed for on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_1?_encoding=UTF8&sort=relevancerank&search-alias=books&field-author=John%20E%20Spalding

http://www.amazon.com/Grand-Minor-League-Cloth/dp/0942627539

http://www.amazon.com/Nuggets-Diamond-Professional-Baseball-Present/dp/0942627008

I would also go through McFarland's website and search for PCL books. I know that they have published at least a couple.

http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/searches/browse_all_categories2.php?cat=Sport+%26+Leisure%2 FBaseball

[quinnsryche]

I've read "The Pacific Coast League 1903 - 1988" by Bill O'Neal and enjoyed it greatly. It's in paperback and very inexpensive. Maybe even try your local library and get it for free!

[Hot Springs Bathers]

All of the above are terrific. I love both of Dick Dobbins books because there is so much memorabilia including cards photographed. His son runs both of these periodically on eBay.

Hard to beat John Spalding's writing. I would also include his SACRAMENTO SENATORS AND SOLONS, very nic book.

[FrankWakefield]

I agree with all above. If you're serious about it then keep your eye open for a Lange book, as Barry suggested. His price is optimistic for the softcover version. I've seen a signed, hardback version, that is more expensive.

I have the O'Neal book, and have it on cassette tapes, too. It's enjoyable, especially the first half about the old stuff. The narrator mispronounces a few names, but there are some names to stumble over in the old PCL.

I'd add to the fine recommendations above, at least one book. The Pacific Coast League: A Statistical History, 1903-1957, by Dennis Snelling. It's a great little book to have at hand when working your way through a handful of Obaks or ZeeNuts. It doesn't list everyone, but lists most of the players. I highly recommend this book.

If you have piles of money, look for a copy of The Coast League Cyclopedia, by Carlos Bauer. It's expensive, one is on eBay as BIN at present. There are mistakes and oversights in it, so I've been told. I've heard it was to be revised, reworked, or redone, so maybe the new creation will be available and less expensive. I think, notwithstanding its shortcomings, The Coast League Cyclopedia would be a great thing to have. Mr. Bauer had his work cut out for him, and created a good first effort.

[matthew]

I'll second the posts about the Dobbins book.

Also I enjoyed this one -

http://www.alibris.com/booksearch.detail?invid=10546441178&browse=1&qwork=5836900&qsort=&page=1

[baseballart]

Lange book

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4537125106_f76958cf3a_b.jpg

[toppcat]

Look for Runs, Hits and an Era, by Zingg and Medeiros, a very well done book that is an excellent overview of the league.

[quinnsryche]

I also enjoyed the Zingg book for what it's worth!